ASF contest director Glen Elliott miraculously found a ripperble poor man’s Trestles-like set up.

Central Coast local and Australian Indigenous Champion Russell Maloney. Pic: ASF/RMillerNIKON

Today Port Macquarie (once again) proved itself a worthy location for the Australian Surf Festival. The Aussie title’s, as it is better known amongst competitors, provides the final and singularly most prestigious platform for amateur surfers to test their wares. Surfers from around Australia gather to hopefully claim not only an Aussie Title, but also a spot on the Aussie team for the next ISA world surfing games and the chance for an amateur world title.

While the competitors faced a near flat looking ocean at main beach, contest director Glen Elliott, from Surfing Australia, picked the eyes out of the multitude of locations on offer to miraculously find a ripperble poor man’s Trestles-like set up at a place called Middle Rock.

Queenslander Kyle Robinson defies the cold water in trunks Pic: ASF/RMiller NIKON

Reports coming in from Sydney that it was a whirlpool of nutty weather that included near 30 degree heat, howling winds and no waves, helped all on the beach today appreciate what we had. Glen, who’d been fortunate enough to get in the ear of some of the local surfers was grateful of finding such a contestable break in such meager swell conditions. “It’s been a pleasure working with the local crew at Port Macquarie over the fifteen days of the event,” said Elliott. “It certainly makes more sense tapping into the local knowledge these guys provide and we appreciate the local surfers and community providing the stage for the biggest amateur surfing event in Australia. We have seen well over 500 competitors and the level has been unbelievable.”

How to score a nine point plus score on your first wave with Scott Schindler. Pic: ASF/RMiller NIKON

Unbelievable is right. The high standard in the open men’s and women’s is to be expected, but it is quite another ting altogether to see surfers in an over 50s quarter final duke it out in two-foot waves. I, for one, hope to be surfing half as well as some of these guys when I hit the big 5-0 that’s for sure.

Great spot, great surfing (considering the swell on offer).

Special note: This blog is brought to you thanks to the good people at Flynns Beach Resort, Port Macquarie. If you love comfortable resort style living and having the beach at your finger tip’s then Flynns is for you… With two pools and lush tropical gardens it’s a paradise found. www.flynnsbeachresort.com.au